Obituary of Raymond James DeFant

Raymond James DeFant, 78, passed away on January 5, 2015. Ray was born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, but was raised in Portland, Oregon. His family included his parents, Ray and Irene DeFant, a younger brother, David, and sister, Beth. Ray graduated from Washington High School. He played football and basketball each year. He was in leadership with several school organizations. Young Life became important and life-changing for him at that time. In 1954, Ray was part of the first work crew to prepare Malibu to open as a Young Life Camp. Ray attended Portland State and played two years of varsity basketball. He had a variety of summer jobs throughout his college years. He worked in road construction in Southern Oregon and Fairbanks, Alaska. In 1957, he spent the whole summer at Malibu. He graduated from the University of Oregon and then Willamette University College of Law. Ray worked for Boeing during the summers of his law school years. Then he worked for Boeing in Seattle and in Lompoc, California. He also worked as Contract’s Manager for various contracts supporting the missile program. Ray continued to be active in Christian Ministries all of his life. He led Bible Studies in most places he lived. He was president of the single-adults ministry at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle. That is where he met Karyn. Ray and Karyn married November 25, 1967. After two years in California, they made their home in Redmond. Active in ministries at Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, Ray and Karyn continued to lead small groups, work with youth and support Young Life. Their three sons, Jon, Ryan and Michael, were born in Redmond. The family moved to Olympia in 1981. Ray initially worked for Lamb Grays Harbor and then retired after 18 years at O.F.M. with the State of Washington. Ray enjoyed designing the family home on Ward Lake and clearing and preparing the beach area for the new neighborhood. He enjoyed all aspects of creating and maintaining the home for his family. He was president of the Soccer Association, Ward Lake Heights HOA, coached and assisted with his son’s sports teams. Ray was on Committee for Young Life, hosted gatherings that led to Men’s Bible Study Fellowship coming to Olympia. Ray and Karyn were part of the group that founded the Cornerstone Presbyterian Church. Ray has most recently enjoyed the Men’s Bible Study at Grace Covenant on Tuesday evenings. Ray and Karyn enjoyed travelling to various places in Europe, time in Arizona and California, on the Oregon Coast and opening their home to family and guests as often as possible. Ray was a very active and loving father. Jon and his wife, Susan, and daughter, Solveig, live in Seattle. Ryan and his wife, Julie, and daughter, Isa, live in Renton. Michael lives in Olympia. Being a Papa was one of the highlights of his life. Various health issues caused Ray to be less active in recent years. His life was very full of wonderful memories with Karyn, his family and wonderful friends. We have peace that he is no longer struggling with health issues, though he will be greatly missed by so many of us. We know that he is with Jesus, his Lord and Savior, enjoying the promises of Eternal Life. Ray would be pleased if anyone would be inclined to make a donation in his memory to a scholarship fund for a teen to attend Young Life’s Malibu Camp. Checks should be made payable to Greater Olympia Young Life, Attn: Campership, PO Box 931, Olympia, WA 98507. Please leave memories of Ray or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.